I got out of bed directly (said the German courier) and began to
get on my clothes, begging him not to be alarmed, and telling him
that I would go myself to the doctor. I was just ready, when we
heard a loud knocking and ringing at the street door. My room
being an attic at the back, and Mr. James's being the second-floor
room in the front, we went down to his room, and put up the window,
to see what was the matter.

'Is that Mr. James?' said a man below, falling back to the opposite
side of the way to look up.

'It is,' said Mr. James, 'and you are my brother's man, Robert.'

'Yes, Sir. I am sorry to say, Sir, that Mr. John is ill. He is
very bad, Sir. It is even feared that he may be lying at the point
of death. He wants to see you, Sir. I have a chaise here. Pray
come to him. Pray lose no time.'

Mr. James and I looked at one another. 'Wilhelm,' said he, 'this
is strange. I wish you to come with me!' I helped him to dress,
partly there and partly in the chaise; and no grass grew under the
horses' iron shoes between Poland Street and the Forest.

Now, mind! (said the German courier) I went with Mr. James into his
brother's room, and I saw and heard myself what follows.

His brother lay upon his bed, at the upper end of a long bed-
chamber. His old housekeeper was there, and others were there: I
think three others were there, if not four, and they had been with